Andy Coulson forced out by hacking scandal

David Cameron was forced to accept the resignation of his communications chief
yesterday after Andy Coulson told him that a “drip, drip” of stories about
the News of the World phone hacking scandal made his Downing Street job
impossible.

Mr Coulson said the claims, which concerned his time as editor of the Sunday tabloid, meant he could not give the Prime Minister the “110 per cent needed”.

The departure was a blow to Mr Cameron, who said that his aide had been “punished for the same offence twice”. Mr Coulson stood down as News of the World editor in 2007 soon after a reporter from his paper was jailed for phone hacking.

The Prime Minister reluctantly agreed to accept the resignation on Wednesday evening, but it was not announced until yesterday because they had to finalise a timetable for his departure.

The timing led to claims that the Government was trying to “bury bad news” while Tony Blair was appearing at the Iraq inquiry and the furore over Alan Johnson’s resignation was still dominating the news schedules.

Downing Street denied the claim, saying that the story had knocked two stories that were damaging to Labour from the top of the bulletins.

Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, said Mr Coulson’s departure was long overdue and questioned Mr Cameron’s judgment for keeping him on the public payroll for so long.

In a statement, Mr Coulson said: “Nothing is more important than the Government’s task of getting this country back on its feet. Unfortunately, continued coverage of events connected to my old job at the News of the World has made it difficult for me to give the 110 per cent needed in this role.

“I stand by what I’ve said about those events but, when the spokesman needs a spokesman, it’s time to move on.”

Mr Coulson was a controversial choice when he was appointed by Mr Cameron on the recommendation of George Osborne in July 2007, but he quickly became a trusted member of the Tory leader’s inner circle and helped transform the party’s media operation.

When the Coalition was formed he was given the job of leading the No 10 communications team and was put on the public payroll, taking a pay cut but still commanding a salary on a par with Cabinet ministers.

His value was proclaimed repeatedly by Mr Cameron, who said yesterday: “I am very sorry that Andy Coulson has decided to resign as my director of communications, although I understand that the continuing pressures on him and his family mean that he feels compelled to do so.

“Andy has told me that the focus on him was impeding his ability to do his job and was starting to prove a distraction for the Government. During his time working for me, Andy has carried out his role with complete professionalism.

“He has been a brilliant member of my team and has thrown himself at the job with skill and dedication. He can be extremely proud of the role he has played, including for the last eight months in Government.”

No decision has yet been taken on Mr Coulson’s replacement.

Mr Coulson resigned as editor of the News of the World after Clive Goodman, the paper’s former royal editor, and Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator, were jailed for phone hacking.

Although he accepted ultimate responsibility for the illegal activities, he always denied knowing they were taking place. A Scotland Yard investigation resulted in no further charges.

News International is facing a series of legal claims from celebrities who allege that their privacy was violated after their phones were hacked.

Earlier this month, Ian Edmondson, a News of the World executive, was suspended as a result of claims in a case brought by Sienna Miller, the actress.

The Metropolitan Police subsequently reopened its criminal investigation into phone hacking at the newspaper.

The Crown Prosecution Service asked a senior QC to “comprehensively” re-examine material amassed as part of the original inquiry and any new evidence.

Labour MPs have been relentlessly pursuing the case and will regard Mr Coulson’s departure as a major success, but it will not stop their pursuit of News International.

Mr Miliband said: “The cloud of allegations surrounding Andy Coulson’s tenure at the News of the World raised real questions about his ability to be at the heart of the Downing Street machine.

“I think there are questions about David Cameron’s judgment about hanging on to him as long as he did.”

Chris Bryant, a Labour MP, demanded that the police carry out “the full, transparent, and thorough inquiry into phone hacking that we are still waiting for”.

“It is one thing to use Coulson in opposition, but to put him on the taxpayer’s payroll and at the heart of Government shows that Cameron is completely unscrupulous,” he said.

“Cameron’s Downing Street is not as pure as the Prime Minister would have us believe.”